Marit Fosso • April 5, 2012

Grande Fète de la Francophonie

Friday March 23, 2012 at 7 p.m. | Tickets $35 | Event Website.

La Maison Francaise at the Embassy of France will host the Grande Fète de la Francophonie. More than 35 embassies will unite to present their cuisine and culture. Sample their food and beverages and check out their arts and crafts from 7 to 10 p.m, listen to a live concert at 8 p.m. and dance the night away when the volume gets turned up at 10 p.m.

Address

La Maison Francaise at the Embassy of France

4101 Reservoir Rd NW,

Washington, DC 20007

Family Days

March 24, 2012 at 10 AM to 4:30 PM & March 25, 2012 from 11 AM to 3:30 PM |Event Website

This weekend, the National Building Museum will present Family Days, a two-day festival of family entertainment. Experience fun activities, such as creating shoji screens and pop-up architecture, dressing up in traditional Japanese Costumes and interactive lessons on climate change and energy conservation.

Address

National Building Museum

401 F Street, NW

Washington DC

Girl Scouts in Georgetown Day

Saturday March 24, 2012 |10-11:30 AM | Costs $10 for scouts and tag-alongs and $3 for accompanying adults |Event Website

Scouts can explore architectural styles from around the world, tour Tudor Place and the Georgetown neighborhood and be creative in designing their own landscape and building.

Address

Tudor Place

31st Street NW

Washington, DC

Georgetown University’s Annual Spring Charity Fashion Show

Saturday March 24, 2012 at 7 PM | Tel: 734-717-6056 | Email: vmp22@georgetown.edu

Georgetown University will host its annual Spring Charity Fashion show. Proceeds will go towards the construction of a new kindergarten for the children of Roslin Orphanage in West Timor, Indonesia. There will be designer clothes, Georgetown models, raffles, live music and a beauty queen.

Address

Gaston Hall at Georgetown University

37th and O Streets, N.W

Washington D.C. 20057

Springtime Pops!

Saturday March 24, 2012 at 8 PM | Students get in for free; adults, $17; seniors, $11 | Event Website

The City of Fairfax Band will play a concert called “Springtime Pops!,” featuring a program of classical and popular selections in the format made popular by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops.

Address

Fairfax High School

3501 Rebel Run

Fairfax Va 22030.

Cherry Blossom Bike Ride & Cycle Expo

Sunday March 25, 2012 from 10 AM to 2 PM | Event Website

The Cherry Blossom Bike Ride & Cycle Expo will take place in Georgetown. There will be rides along the Capital Crescent Trail and educational demonstrations and vendors in front of Jack’s Boathouse on Water Street under Key Bridge. The event will benefit the American Diabetes Association

Address

Georgetown Waterfront Park on Water Street.

Opening Ceremony

Sunday March 25, 2012 5 to 6:30 PM | The event is free but requires that you register online in advance | Event Website

Opening ceremony for the Cherry Blossom Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The ceremony presents performances that tell the story about how the gift of trees turned into the annual festival.

Address

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center

801 Mt Vernon Place NW

Washington, DC 20001

Benetton Spring Fashion Show

Sunday March 25, 2012 from 6 to 8 PM | Tel: 202-625-2183 | Event Website

A VIP Fashion Show at the United Colors of Benetton Store in Georgetown. See the new spring collections, enjoy refreshments and shop the spring/summer collection, enjoying a 20-percent discount.

Address

The United Colors of Benetton Store

1200 Wisconsin Ave., N.W,

Washington, D.C. 20007.

Marit Fosso •

Last April, the Washington Harbour Complex at the Georgetown waterfront was flooded, causing severe damage to Tony & Joe’s Seafood Place among other local establishments. The outside bar and patio have since been open with a limited menu from an outdoor kitchen, while the inside dining room and bar have been closed for renovation. But there is good news on the horizon. ”The inside restaurant will reopen for the public in early May 2012,” owner Greg Casten said.

However, there is still some work to be done with the storefront windows. ”Everything will hopefully be completed in mid-June or early July. So, any grand opening celebrations will probably be in July,” Casten said. When the restaurant reopens, there will also be a new chef on board: David Stein. ”He’s the perfect fit for us, as he really knows seafood and the Chesapeake Bay area,” Casten said. Stein has worked as a chef in many other places, most recently at Bistro St. Michael in Maryland. ”We’re working on some menu changes for the opening. I have some great ideas for that,” Stein said. He’s currently happy cooking from the outdoor kitchen, but he also looks forward to getting started in the new kitchen. ”I’ve been here for two and a half months now, and it’s great out here. The staff here is great, they have a rare loyalty to the place that I haven’t seen in any other restaurant,” Stein said. Mark Ramirez, who’s working alongside Stein in the outdoor kitchen, has worked at Tony and Joe’s for 20 years.

The lower fountain area by the waterfront is also under renovation. The new fountain will create a water show that changes from day to night during the warmer months. In the winter the fountain will be replaced by an ice skating rink. ”The new fountain will probably be completed by the end of the summer,” said Jennifer DeMeo from MRP Realtors. [gallery ids="100707,100708,100709" nav="thumbs"]

Marit Fosso • March 12, 2012

March 8 is officially International Women’s Day and is celebrated with events all around the world. The celebrations range from acknowledging women’s achievements to general appreciation and love for women. It was begun in 1909 by the Socialist Party of America. This was a time when women could not vote and suffered sex discrimination in their jobs and elsewhere. It has since evolved beyond political and economic goals and earned itself a Google doodle this year.

No matter what your reasons for wanting to celebrate women, International Women’s Day presents a great opportunity to spoil a special lady or two with a night out. Whether it’s a mother, sister, daughter, wife or girlfriend who deserves to be celebrated, Georgetown holds a number of lovely eateries to enjoy.

Get organic chocolate-covered strawberries from Godiva, and go for a stroll along the Potomac. Take her to Mie n Yu for Silk Road-inspired regional American cuisine, or enjoy the seasonal and fresh rustic Italian food at Piccolo. Enjoy a bubbly toast for women at one of Georgetown’s many bars or lounges, such as Cafe Bonaparte, Peacock Cafe, Das Ethiopian Restaurant, Clyde’s or 1789 Restaurant.

If you don’t have the time to take your women out tonight, flowers can be a nice compensation as they are a symbol of International Women’s Day. Another nice gesture is to donate money to women’s causes. The United Nations’ theme for the International Women’s Day 2012 is “Empower Women – End Hunger and Poverty.” That could be a good place to start.

Marit Fosso • March 8, 2012

Celebrity chef Robert Irvine brings his hit show ‘Restaurant Impossible’ to the still unknown restaurant in Washington, D.C., today. For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, “Restaurant: Impossible” is a reality show in which muscle-bound chef Irvine sets out to save failing restaurants across the country. Irvine, who is currently staying at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor, will spend two intense days with each restaurant he’s trying to rescue from going out of business. During the process he will change the food, the interior and retrain the staff, using muscle and toughness, but without spending more than $10,000.

Irvine has over 25 years of culinary experiene. He is involved in several reality shows besides “Restaurant Impossible.” He owns two restaurants and has written three cookbooks. Even being around food all day, Irvine still manages to be one of the fittest chefs in the industry. ”Maintaining a healthy diet while you are constantly surrounded by food is a major challenge for chefs everywhere,” writes Irvine on his blog (http://chefirvine.com/blog/). His best advise for staying trim while working in a kitchen includes finding the time to sit down and eat, drink water instead of soda, and to take on the phsyical tasks, such as lifting the heavy boxes when the big food delivery arrives.

With all his years of experience, Irvine uses his skills and creativity to bring an unsuccessful restaurant back into business. So far, Irvine has managed to turn around more than 30 failing restaurants. It will be exciting to see which D.C. restaurant will benefit from Irvine’s two days of tough food-love. Stay tuned.

Marit Fosso • March 5, 2012

Experience a bit of Spanish culture in Washington, D.C. from February 29 to March 7 at the annual Flamenco Festival at the GW Lisner Auditorium. Performances range from traditional gypsy flamenco to contemporary and Spanish classical dance. The Flamenco Festival will also be presented at venues in New York, Miami and Boston.

The festival kicks off with Gala Flamenca on February 29, where three of flamenco’s leading female dancers – Rafaela Carrasco, Olga Pericet and Carmen Cortés – will share the stage.

On March 2, Olga Pericet will combine different dance-styles, challenging technique and impressive athcleticism in her performance Rosa, Metal, Ceniza.

The following night, March 3, award-winning dancer, Manuela Carrasco, will show-case the essence of gypsy flamenco in her new show Suspiro Flamenco.

To round up the festivities, Rafaela Carrasco will perform the show Vamos al Tiroteo on March 7, together with four male dancers, a live band and two flamenco singers, to a selection of popular Spanish songs.

For more information, please visit www.spainculture.us or www.flamencofestival.org

Coming up in our next issue, look for more information on the Spanish Cultural Program for Spring/Summer 2012, including an interview with the Ambassador of Spain!
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Marit Fosso • March 1, 2012

Albrecht Muth, a 47-year-old Georgetown resident, was charged in the murder of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Drath. He is now being hospitalized.

According to the Associated Press, his doctors are calling him delusional. Muth claims that he sees Archangel Gabriel who gives him instructions on what to do.

While in jail, he had been starving himself, but has begun eating again. He says he does want to continue with his 40-day fast soon, however.

“He thinks that he is chosen like Moses and Jesus, that he will be protected in his 40-day fast,” said Maria Amato, lawyer for the D.C. Department of Corrections.

On Tuesday, Muth was ruled temporarily incompetent for trial by Washington, D.C. Superior Court Judge, Russel F. Canan and was moved to St. Elizabeths psychiatric hospital in Washington, D.C. where he will receive a full mental evaluation, according to the Huffington Post. After the doctors at St. Elizabeth Hospital have evaluated Muth, the D.C. Superior Court judge will revisit his ruling.

Marit Fosso •

Do you need a perfect beginning to your St. Valentine’s Day celebration? Treat your better half to a romantic breakfast in bed! Pancakes are, of course, a safe bet for any special breakfast, and a portion of chocolate pear pancakes are sure to satisfy any chocolate lover.

Chocolate Pear Pancakes

Cook & Prep time: 35mins

Makes 6 x 20cm/8-inch pancakes (Serves 2)

Ingredients

For the batter

50g/2oz Plain Flour

½ – 1 tablespoon Pure Cocoa Powder

1 Egg

150ml/5fl.oz. Milk

For the pears

2 Pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1cm/ ½ – inch pieces

About 4 tbsp Sugar

1 x 2.5cm/1-inch Cinnamon Stick

Cold water

For the Chocolate Sauce

50g/2oz good-quality dark Chocolate, broken into small pieces

25g/1oz Butter

3 tbsp Honey

Vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Place the flour and cocoa powder in a mixing bowl or large jug, mix well then add the egg and milk and mix until well blended and smooth using a balloon whisk or handheld electric. Set it aside whilst you prepare the pears.

2. Place the chopped pears in a small saucepan together with the cinnamon and sugar and enough cold water to come halfway up the fruit. Place over a medium heat and bring to simmering point, mixing well and continue to cook for about 5 minutes or until soft.

3. Meanwhile, put the chocolate, butter and honey in a heatproof bowl and place over a pan of simmering water and leave until the chocolate starts to melt. Mix well until you have a smooth sauce. Remove the pan from the heat, cover the bowl with a lid or clingfilm but leave it in the pan and set aside.

4. Once the pears are tender, turn the heat off, drain any excess liquid, remove the cinnamon stick then crush the pears with a fork. Cover with a lid and set aside whilst you cook the pancakes.

5. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a small frying pan until very hot, swirling it around to coat the base of the pan. Pour off most of the oil then add one sixth of the batter to the hot pan, tilting the pan so the batter covers the base evenly. Cook for about 1 minute until just set then loosen the edges using a palette knife or fish slice, turn the pancake over and cook for a further 30 seconds or so until lightly browned. Repeat with the remaining batter, keeping the cooked pancakes warm under the grill or in a low oven.

To Serve fold each pancake into quarters, place three on a plate, place the pear mixture over the pancakes then drizzle with the chocolate sauce.

Maybe your soulmate is not into a major sugar kick early in the morning. Instead, treat her or him to a cup of delicious coffee with cute cookies on the side.

“I love you” Cookies

0.5 lb soft butter

0.5 lb powdered sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup sour cream

4 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 lb. flour

0.1 lb vanilla pudding powder

Preheat the oven to 356F. Run the butter and sugar in a mixer, mix until it is fluffy. Add both eggs, and the sour cream, mix this for two minutes. Stir together baking powder, baking soda, salt, flour and vanilla pudding powder in another bowl. Add the vanilla extract to the butter mix. Mix everything until the dough is ready. Leave the dough in the fridge for at least an hour. Roll out the dough, use extra flour if it’s too sticky. Use heartshaped “Message in a cookie” cookie cutters from Williams Sonoma.

Bake for about ten minutes in the oven. Let the cookies cool before you decorate them. (Recipe from www.passion4baking.com)

Marit Fosso • February 8, 2012

For those of us who live or work in Georgetown, public transportation is not always the best option. With the closest Metro stations not being really nearby, we tend to depend a lot on taxis to get around.

D.C. Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) will proceed with a Jan. 30 hearing on the D.C. Taxicab Reform Bill. The reform comes after the D.C. Taxicab Commision’s decision in December to increase taxi fares, according to the Washington Post. “We want an enhanced level of service and better overall performance,” Cheh told the Washington Post.

If the bill passes, various improvements in the District’s taxi service could make our everyday taxi rides go more smoothly. The bill proposes that taxis will need to have equipment that allows customers to pay with credit card and to have roof lights that clearly indicate whether the cab is available or occupied. These improvements are supported by nine out of ten taxi riders, according to
a non-scientific internet survey initiated by Cheh.

Another improvement that would make our taxi rides easier is the proposal within the bill that all taxis should install GPS devices. The bill also proposes that taxi drivers should go through a training course, covering geography, passenger relations skills and driving skills.

Cheh’s bill also proposes that all taxis should have a similar color. Her internet survey shows that yellow is most popular among the taxi riders, if the taxis are required to have uniform color. ”I hope they don’t go with yellow,” Cheh — who prefers white — told the Washington Post.